So what would make you sell your machine

[woodlandfarms]

I am following Re Powering, Pump liveability conversations here and was wondering what everyones threshold was on selling. The way I look at this machine is that outside of the cylinders, its all off the shelf parts. Even if my tractor completely tanked (Engine, pumps and wheel motors) I don't think I would be above 20K in repairs which is far less than the 39K purchase price.

For me, I would consider the 1860 or the 1460, something with more lift height and more oomph and use this machine more for just slope management than grunt labor. But I don't know if selling the 1850 would ever really make sense.

 

[MossRoad]

I think the only things that would make me sell mine are:

- getting a new/different one (and I might just keep the old one anyway).
- getting physically unable to do the chores anymore (don't see that happening anytime soon, but we never see it coming, do we?). If it ever comes to that, I'll cry!

Since the things are so easy to work on, and I'm gonna assume some form of hydraulics will be around for the foreseeable future, and I really like the platform, I'm guessing it's my forever machine. It may get repowered, or re-pumped, etc... but the dang thing is so just-right for my needs, I can't ever see parting with it. Ever. Kinda goofy, but you guys know what I'm talking about. Each and every time I get on that thing, I'm smiling while I'm working it.

Just a couple weeks ago, I was out at our rural property pulling logs with the tongs. I come up out of the bottom field, about a 50' hill, pretty steep, dragging a 40' telephone pole-type tree, and there's my neighbors wanting to catch up over the winter. So I drag the log to the pile, drop it with a flick of the joystick and steering wheel, motor over, shut down and say HI! He looks at it and asks "When did you get that?" I said its the same machine I've been brush cutting with since 2002! Where's the mower? At home. See my buckets and forks over there? Yeah. So I drop my QA plate with the 2" receiver, ring, chain and tongs, run over and pick up the forks and run back, all without getting off. He just shakes his head and smiles.

He also mentioned he's been having people drive into his property and partying, and that he may have to put up two posts and chain off his drive like I did back in 1989. So I dropped the forks, grabbed the plate with the tongs again and took a nice 30 footer over to his place for him to cut into poles. Took about 5 minutes. Felt good to help him out since he watches our place quite often. :thumbsup:

Anyhow.... I never foresee the need to pull a dirt plow, or pull stumps, so I'm good.

Curious to see what others will say about their Power Tracs. :dance1:

 

[MuncyBob]

I think I would only sell if I was upgrading to a 425 or larger. I wish I had the $$ at the time of getting my 422 to go bigger but this little guy has rarely let me down. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined and a friend is an actual mechanic and so far between the 2 of us we have not had any problems maintaining/fixing the little bugger and has been fairly cheap to do so when comparing price of parts to that other green tractor.

 

[ponytug]

As the saying goes...

"You can sell mine, when you pry it from my cold, dead hands."

Seriously. Not. Happening.

I might get an 1850, but it wouldn't replace this one.

All the best,

Peter

 

[BobRip]

I am considering replacing my 422 with a 425 as the engine is about shot. I would like the extra wheel motor torque. I am also considering repowering the 422 with a 25 Hp Kohler. Or maybe do both.

 

[woodlandfarms]

The thing in my head was the comparison of other "real" tractor owners. Most of them are like "10 years and I get a new one" which I get, plastic has faded, designs have changed. I guess I look at the PT and long for someone to do a major upgrade but in the end appreciate buying a new one buys me nothing new.

 

[MossRoad]

Every time I take my machine through brush so thick that I can't push my body through it, 8' high honeysuckle, 10' high multiflora rose, grape vines, etc... or force my machine over a log, skidding on the belly... I'm really glad there's no plastic or sheet metal on that thing. :thumbsup:

 

[Oldoak]

Nothing would make me see my machine. However, for the right price, I would part with anything that I could legally sell.........with one exception, man's best friend, my dog.

 

[cqaigy2]

Maybe a bigger one, or if i couldn't physically use the PT or maybe if somebody offered me too good a deal to refuse. Then i'd buy a new bigger one.

 

[BobRip]

Today a ordered a new Robin Subaru engine just like the one now in the 422. The new adapter plate will not work with my older PT422. I have pumps on both ends of the engine. It was about $1900 and I got it from Power Trac. I will have to cut the shaft off a little.

 

[oosik]

I bought my first tractor - Ford 1710 4WD, new in '82 and sold it to upgrade in '09. That's 27 years with the same tractor. I traded and upgraded because I needed the larger tractor to accomplish summer maintenance on my driveway and start on the "larger" projects around the property. I had accomplished all the smaller projects with the Ford and now the Kubota will allow work on the larger ones.

Specifically - I "swing" the Rhino 950 rear blade - 96" and 1050#. The extra beef allows penetration of my driveway when it sets up, like concrete, in the summer. The Kubota with its HD grapple allows me to pick, move and place large rocks and chunks of my Ponderosa pine.

When I upgraded to the M6040 - I thought LONG & HARD about getting a factory cab. But the 27 years of experience with the open station Ford showed that I really didn't need the cab. I have learned how to use a tractor and enjoy being out in the elements. Besides when we get hot - and we DO get hot - in the summer, its with EXTREME low humidity. I've witnessed Houston in July - once. If I were, for some UKN reason, FORCED to live in Houston or that area - a cabbed tractor with AC would be a must - I understand.

 

[Barryh]

Well this is my second PT... Started out a long time ago with the little PT -180.. Loved that little machine it did everything I asked it to do and more I've always been amazed at the size to power ratio of these PT's. And the small size fits perfectly in the garage with room to spare.

Yes I could have waited and gotten a 425 but at the time money was tight and I wanted one sooner than later..
I had other priorities or uses for my money. I have never regretted getting that base model Power Trac.

My neighbor was amazed at what it would do. He kept asking me when I was going to sell it to him. So years later he offered me very close to what I paid for it new. I thought hmmm why not don't have to advertise simple as driveing it next door.

Maybe I'll wait awhile and I'll get a 425.. I'm told that little Power Trac is still working hard somewhere in PA the owner loves it ..

Well wasn't long before I needed help around the house lifting and moving large things again. I was starting to miss my little green machine. I was in the process of looking at new ones when I spotted a cool little Kubota BX-1500 fantastic price with low hours. I thought it might be fun to try something a little different this time.

And It was a very handy little tractor with a diesel but something was missing.. It just didn't have the versatility or lifting power of the little green PT so I sold it too ..

Fast forward spotted my beloved Red Vintage 1425 not far from our house. The price was right and the hours were low. I was by now going through PT withdraw.. Even though it didn't have the quick attach feature it did have the duel cylinders for steering the lifting power and height of a 425 and a low hour original Kohler engine.

I know you guys swear by the quick attache and I can't blame you, no offense to anyone but I really don't need it. Even with this old setup attachments are quick and simple to change out.

I do miss, not having the extra circuit for the Mini Hoe. But I do have an Auger for digging / planting trees or posts. For half the price my 1425 is a heavy duty brute just like the 425. It can toss around large trees when needed and I didn't have to break the bank.. Once again priorities for me.

I could have easily bought a brand new PT 425 this time but decided to use the extra $$ instead to buy my beautiful 2017 Ford F-150 with lots of bells and whistles. Which I love and needed for my business along with the nasty winters around here..

My old F-150 had 250,000 miles and still running strong but new in a truck is better for all the work I do around here just makes life easier for this old man.

Sooo I still have a great little Power Trac to work the property and move the heavy objects when needed.. And I rather enjoy working on it also having fun making some of my own attachments for it nothing complicated but makes for fun garage time..

I will be hanging on to this this old girl even if I comes to replacing every part on her .. I've always liked unique things. I have a small business online and I make and sell Vintage Industrial Steampunk Lamps which if you think about it. Kind of falls in line with this unique little tractor ..

I love the fact that it is a Vintage Red 95 model but that's just me.. I can always add an extra circuit down the line if and when I get the time. Nuff said ...

 

[MossRoad]

I've got a sister that makes steam punk jewelry and art. Makes some neat new stuff out of neat old stuff! :thumbsup:

 

[Barryh]

That's cool ... This will be my retirement business ... :thumbsup:

 

[cqaigy2]

Hmm, i have a lot of old stuff.....suppose it should be neat too though.

 

[Barryh]

Hmm, i have a lot of old stuff.....suppose it should be neat too though.

Not to get off topic or tying to do a shameless plug .. New meets old, it can be ...

 

[MossRoad]

Very, very nice! Are those old insulators?

 

[Barryh]

Very, very nice! Are those old insulators?

Thanks the Boudon gauge March 24th 1903. American S.G.& V. MFG.CO BOSTON USA 3/1/2 Inch.

Shades are Hemingray 42 Antique Telegraph Telephone Insulators from the 1920's.

 

[cqaigy2]

Like the old looking gauge, nice touch. I used to have a bunch of glass insulators i collected in the 70s, they were replacing them and were still on the cross arms. The linemen said to take as many as i wanted, just not to make a mess. My parents weren't too happy to have me haul all the junk back.

 

[MossRoad]

I just found one on my property a couple weeks ago. Well, two, but one was broken. As I've mentioned before, there's an old railroad grade and bridge on our property. I'm sure there were telephone and telegraph line poles along there. I still find railroad spikes and plates once in a while. The area is inaccessible on foot. The deer can't even get in there. But my little PT425 with the brush cutter can! It's brutal. The brush has claimed countless linchpins from my front wheel casters. I'm getting to the point where I'm just gonna put a bolt and nylon nut on them and stop replacing the pins.